Snowpoint City
Nestled at Sinnoh's northernmost tip—a winter city where ice crystals glitter year-round.
"Ah-choo——!"
Riding Salamence above Snowpoint City, the sudden temperature drop sent Aiden into a sneezing fit.
"Had I known it'd be this cold, I'd have worn an extra coat——"
Spotting the miniature Snowpoint Temple far below, Aiden patted Salamence's back.
"We're here."
"Roar!"
Salamence let out a sharp cry—then dove straight down, executing a perfect 90-degree aerial turn.
"Hey, slow down!!!"
The abrupt acceleration forced Aiden to cling tightly to its neck.
Thankfully—they hadn't flown too high. Seconds later, Salamence skidded to a halt on the snow, carving a golden arc across the white expanse.
"Roarr!"
Salamence seemed immensely pleased with its flawless landing. Aiden, however, was left dizzy and disoriented—utterly unsure which way was up.
"Next time… maybe I'll ride Miraidon instead——"
"Roa–?!"
Aiden's offhand remark inflicted severe psychological trauma on the still-childlike Salamence.
After soothing its wounded pride and finally landing safely, Aiden noticed someone standing nearby.
A youthful girl in a thin school uniform despite the freezing weather—twin tails framing her face, short skirt and thigh-high socks defying the cold, her jacket casually tied around her waist. Fashion statement? Ice-type adaptation? Hard to say.
Aiden recognized her instantly.
Snowpoint Gym Leader—dubbed the "Diamond Dust Girl"—Candice.
Her presence here was likely mission-related.
Tapping Salamence's stubbornly solid forehead with a Poké Ball, Aiden recalled it—then strode toward Candice.
"Wow—I'm so glad it's really Teacher Azure!"
Candice hurried over as he approached. Her cheeks were flushed pink from the cold.
Though tempted to ask if she was freezing, Aiden straightened his posture upon hearing her address him as "Teacher Azure"—realizing she was clearly one of his fans.
As a senior, I must maintain dignity.
"Hello, Miss Candice."
Aiden smiled warmly, waving.
"Welcome to Snowpoint City, Teacher Azure!"
Candice beamed.
"I never imagined meeting you in Sinnoh! I'm so lucky."
"I'm your loyal fan! Learned so many fun tactics from your streams—all the new Trainers who've tried them and said they're great~"
?
For a moment, Aiden couldn't tell if her words were genuine admiration or playful teasing.
"New Trainers tried them and said they're great"?
Then why do I only get hate comments when I use them?!
"What—exactly did you learn?"
Curiosity got the better of him.
"Oh, nothing major~"
Candice scratched her head sheepishly.
"Just using Ability Swap to transfer Pure Power to Mamoswine or Weavile… and using Jynx to set Trick Room for Mega Abomasnow."
The tactics she described were surprisingly… normal.
Aiden exhaled in relief.
See? My fans aren't all chaotic gremlins.
Candice—radiant, earnest, sunshine incarnate—was living proof.
So fans using unorthodox tactics ≠ Teacher Azure being unorthodox.
Maybe reflect on yourselves sometimes, yeah?
"I'm honored to be a role model for fellow Gym Leaders."
Aiden beamed—patting her shoulder encouragingly.
"Keep it up—I believe in you!"
"Yes!"
Candice opened her mouth to add something—but suddenly remembered her purpose. She clapped her hands.
"Oh! I almost forgot!"
"Teacher Azure's here for Snowpoint Temple, right? I'll show you in!"
Watching her energetic retreating back, Aiden felt deeply reassured.
Such vibrant youth! See? Most Gym Leaders I've mentored are perfectly normal!
—
Snowpoint Temple stood carved into the cliffside—an ancient six-tiered stone structure, mostly buried underground. Built by ancient Sinnoh people to shelter the legendary giant Regigigas in peaceful slumber, it had endured millennia untouched.
Reaching the cliff edge with Candice, Aiden couldn't help but admire Sinnoh's ancestral wisdom.
So they basically buried Regigigas alive?——
Though for a legendary giant… perhaps it preferred this earth-connected tranquility?
The design had clear benefits too:
If Regigigas ever woke and stretched… the collapsing temple would serve as perfect early warning.
Truly—the wisdom of ancients?
(Though rebuilding it would require considerable labor.)
"Teacher Azure… I won't go in——"
As Aiden prepared to proceed, Candice spoke softly beside him.
"That's the legendary giant… if it awakens suddenly, my strength would only burden you."
Candice knew her limits well.
Aiden waved dismissively.
"No worries. Today's goal is to wake it—but realistically? Nearly impossible."
Everyone knew Regigigas's Ability: Slow Start.
In past games—despite its monstrous 160 Attack stat and 670 BST—it remained the only unrestricted "Tier 1 Legendary." Few used it even when allowed.
Why? That absurdly broken Ability—was worse than Oblivious. For five turns, Attack and Speed halved. Battles often ended before it even warmed up.
In reality? It was even more extreme.
Aiden had no idea how long Regigigas would need to shake off its "morning grumpiness" after waking.
"Are you sure it's safe?"
Candice worried.
Though curious about the giant… if her presence hindered Teacher Azure's work, better not be selfish.
"—Actually, for safety's sake, I'll go alone."
Aiden reconsidered. Regigigas would eventually emerge publicly in Snowpoint City anyway—plenty of photo ops later.
Under Candice's respectful gaze, he entered the temple alone.
'Truly worthy of Teacher Azure—facing the legendary giant without fear!' Candice thought admiringly.
(Unaware of her thoughts, Aiden descended three icy levels.)
Past games featured environmental puzzles in key locations: Cycling through Sky Pillar's narrow paths, or ice-slicked floors where one misstep meant sliding helplessly.
But reality offered freedom.
So Aiden chose the simplest shortcut.
"ROAR!!!"
Salamence reappeared—navigating the indoor pillars with ease, soaring down two more levels.
Thanks to Salamence's "reckless charge," man and dragon soon reached the fifth underground level—Regigigas's slumbering chamber.
Stepping into the deepest layer, Aiden shivered—the already frigid air now bitingly sharp. He crossed his arms instinctively.
It was as he remembered: only a small patch of floor near the stairs remained ice-free. The rest? Solid, treacherous ice.
Without a game's top-down view… navigating normally would mean wall-bouncing into existential crisis——
No problem. I can fly!
"Salamence—fly over there."
"Roar!"
Mounted on Salamence, Aiden pointed. They landed on a small clear patch opposite.
Before him sat the headless giant—motionless in slumber.
A massive white torso. Where a neck should be—a yellow band stretched forward to its waist, seven holes arranged like the Big Dipper. Arms dangled limply; yellow disc-like "cuffs" framed three fingers each, buried in earth. Beneath its feet—lush green vegetation defied the frozen surroundings.
No other creature matched this description.
(The Legendary Giant, Regigigas)
The Pokédex listed its height as 3.7 meters—but Aiden suspected that was conservative. A being that dragged continents into place? Easily hundreds of meters tall. He wouldn't be shocked.
Yet——
Deep in slumber, the six gem-like dots across its chest remained dark—no hint of awakening.
It seemed more like a statue than a living being.
How do I wake it?
Aiden pondered.
Borrow the three Regis from Steven? Early lore suggested that method.
But a deeper reason existed. The Regis held no special power—they were merely Regigigas's self-crafted "replicas."
So he tried:
First—using Miraidon's ability to generate Electric Terrain, preventing sleep.
No effect. A giant rooted in earth felt nothing from Miraidon's "voltage."
Next—he played the Azure Flute.
Silence.
Staring at the peacefully slumbering giant, Aiden sighed inwardly.
Such a hassle——
Wait—Hunter J once woke it in the anime… even triggered a temporary rampage.
How?
His childhood memories flashed—sudden clarity!
Destroy the three pillars on the lowest level!
Ice Pillar (Regice), Rock Pillar (Regirock), Steel Pillar (Registeel).
Aiden scanned the chamber—spotted them instantly.
Noting Salamence beneath him… déjà vu struck——
Am I Hunter J now?!
But to make Regigigas "wake up to reset its sleep cycle"? No other choice.
"Roar!"
At Aiden's command, Salamence unleashed Dragon Claws midair—shattering the three pillars with ease.
RUMBLE——
As stone cracked, the floor trembled violently. A deafening roar echoed through the chamber.
A hostile crimson flash—then an earth-shattering bellow:
"RE—GI——!"
A weathered, metallic voice boomed behind him.
Aiden turned. The six gems on Regigigas's chest now pulsed with light—clearly awakened.
Those pillars must've been its slumber anchors.
Disturbed from peaceful rest—even Regigigas had limits to its patience.
But——
Before it could act, the tiny human spoke first:
"Open your eyes, Regigigas."
"I am Arceus's emissary—bearing His new directive."
"..."
Eyeless and voiceless, Regigigas fell silent.
Freshly awakened—its reactions glacially slow. It remained motionless for over five minutes. Just as Aiden grew impatient—
Six beams of light shot from its chest gems, scanning him.
Aiden stood calmly. Let it verify me. Every word was true—the guilt-ridden alpaca had sent him.
Minutes passed. The light retracted. Regigigas's fury visibly subsided.
It rose—standing motionless, awaiting his next words.
"Nothing major, really."
Aiden shrugged.
"Arceus simply asked: Do you have a wish you'd like fulfilled?"
Seeing the gems flash rhythmically—Aiden guessed this was its "thinking" pattern. He added:
"If you're conflicted… just ponder here. As long as you've decided by my next visit."
"I can't understand your language—I'll need a translator. Next time, I'll fulfill your wish."
"That's all. Bye~"
Aiden waved.
Regigigas remained utterly still. Perhaps Slow Start left its mind too sluggish to process—so it simply sat back down, focusing all energy on contemplating wish.
Wish?
Great. Another indecisive one.
Cynthia might agonize for hours. As for Regigigas——
Who knew?
It might still be pondering when he returned on his next Sinnoh trip.
No time to wait!
Déjà vu flooded Aiden. He promptly mounted Salamence.
And so—his final task in Sinnoh was complete.
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